FATALISM OR FREEDOM 



terms of the common meaning of the word 

 in so far as this can be done within the 

 limits set by the methods of natural sci- 

 ence. This naturalistic treatment requires 

 that the concept of uncaused action and 

 all metaphysical categories, absolutes and 

 sanctions be rigorously excluded. Such 

 limited freedom will not be acceptable to 

 those who demand the divine privilege of 

 creating something out of nothing or of 

 choosing to which of the laws of nature 

 they will conform their actions. The peo- 

 ple who make claim to these powers have 

 difficulty in making good in practice. But 

 natural freedom as here defined meets 

 every practical need; and it embraces the 

 noblest human capacities and satisfac- 

 tions. 



We can now cast aside those crudely 

 fatalistic dogmas which deny to the man 

 those powers which every brute possesses, 

 powers to control in some measure his 

 own behavior through forces which come 

 to expression within his own internal or- 

 ganization. For when we recognize that 

 human nature is different from that of 

 brutes, that our powers of self-control 

 and self-culture are vastly greater than 

 theirs, we have before us the instrumen- 

 talities of a freedom that is enlarged in 



[94] 



